Residents back plans to replace Hammersmith flyover with tunnel

Residents have welcomed ambitious plans to replace the Hammersmith flyover with an underground tunnel — but warned against allowing developers free rein.

The proposal could see a tunnel running beneath the existing A4 from the Hogarth roundabout to Earl’s Court with north-south links in a bid to ease congestion, reconnect the town centre with the river and regenerate the area.

It was presented to the community as the “aspirational” choice of four options at a packed public meeting in Hammersmith Town Hall this week.The other possibilities include building the tunnel without the supporting link roads and a straight replacement of the existing flyover, either with or without the link roads.

The bridge, which carries 90,000 vehicles a day, is about to have a £60 million 18-month patch-up, but will still need replacing in 15 to 20 years. Many residents spoke out forcibly in favour of “burying the flyover”.

Hugh Stevenson, who runs a landscaping business, said: “We are not being bold enough. I agree we should keep some surface roads for local traffic, but I would like to see the main tunnel linked up as much as possible.”

Tony Boys, who works with various residents’ associations in the area, added: “Be careful not to sell us a big vision and then for it to get lost.”

But Rosemary Pettit, chairwoman of the Hammersmith Society, warned: “It needs to be clear this is not a golden opportunity for developers to make hay at the expense of Hammersmith.”